Francis Howell hires Snyder as new football coach

Francis Howell has hired former Westminster coach, Cory Snyder, as their next head football coach. Snyder led Westminster to a 13-1 record last season, losing to Kearney in the Class 4 semifinals.

"My family lives in the Francis Howell school district, so when the Francis Howell job became open, it was really intriguing," Snyder said on his decision to make the jump, "for me, professionally, just kind of looking at the next step and the next challenge."

It will be a challenge to fill the shoes of Bryan Koch, who resigned in February. Koch was the most successful coach in the school's history, leading them to their first ever state championship game in 2010.

"I am not the guy that was here before," Coach Snyder admitted, "I can only do the best job that I can do, my goal is to come in and get to know the community and similate myself and see how I can be a contributing member."

His plan for the program is very similar to the way Koch built his.

"i think culture is everything, I think they have a great culture out here and that perpetuates itself. The guys who are older on varsity don't just care about what they are doing now, but they care about what the younger guys are going to do when they are gone," Snyder explained, "the culture that has been established by the coaching staff and the players...I think that has allowed them to be very successful and I am excited to be a part of that."

He is also excited to have home games under the lights on Friday night. A city ordinance had prohibited Westminster from installing lights and playing on Friday nights.

"i am an Ohio guy, I grew up playing Friday nights in front of big crowds. It is going to be exciting to be a part of that again. There is nothing quite like the excitement on Friday night."